About The Yardbird Big Band, conducted by Alto Saxophonist David DeJesus, brings together some of the best musicians in New York City to play the music of Birdlands namesake, alto saxophone icon Charlie Parker. This 11-piece ensemble performs new big band arrangements of Charlie Parkers most famous compositions.
The Yale Jazz Ensembles Big Band brings Miles Davis’ centennial to life under the direction of Wayne Escoffery, offering a fresh and forward-looking take on a defining chapter of jazz history. Newly commissioned arrangements by Michael Philip Mossman reimagineDavis’ early collaborations with Gil Evans, letting familiar melodies unfold with new color, swing, and scale. As cool elegance meets big band power, the music bridges past and present with ease and imagination. This is a night that honors legacy while keeping the spirit of innovation vibrantly alive. PERFORMANCE LINEUP Wayne Escoffery, music director Christopher Sylvester, alto saxophone Solomon Geleta, alto saxophone Rohan Wassnik, tenor saxophone Rory Ashmeade, tenor saxophone Allie Gruber, baritone saxophone Jared Wyetzner, trumpet Truth Templeton trumpet Victor Herrera, trumpet Leo Craig, trumpet Jacob Lebroda, trombone Daniel Fried, trombone